BIG WOW! ComicFest Returns this Weekend…May 17-18, 2014

Press Release:

Big Wow! Comic Fest Returns to San Jose on May 17th & 18th, 2014, bringing two great days of Comic Book, Art, Anime, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Gaming and Cosplay FUN! Many of the country’s best vendors of all things cool and collectible will tempt your wallets with the perfect gifts for Geek, Nerds, Fans and True Collectors, everywhere!

Founded in 1979 as “Super-Con”, Big Wow! Comic Fest is not only Northern California’s Longest-Running Comic-Con, but is this year’s Only Major Comics Event in the San Francisco Bay Area!

As the Original Artist-Friendly Show, we have Fantastic Comic Book Creator Guests spanning all decades and genres! This year we are pleased to welcome as our Featured Guests: Charlie Adlard (Artist for the popular “Walking Dead” series), Legendary Illustrator Neal Adams (Batman, X-Men, Avengers), Hellboy Creator Mike Mignola, Fan-Favorites… Travis Charest (Weapons of the Metabarons), Art Adams (X-Men, Godzilla), and more Special Guests including: Dan Brereton (Nocturnals), Mike Zeck (Punisher, Spider-Man, Secret Wars), Joe Linsner (Dawn), Bill Morrison (The Simpsons, Futurama, Disney Poster Artist), Alex Nino (Dead Ahead), Sergio Aragones (Mad Magazine, Groo the Wanderer), Liam Sharp (Gears of War), and many more confirmed and added to our website! Over 200 Comic Creators!

Meet, get autographs, and learn the secrets of Show Biz from our spectacular CELEBRITY GUESTS:

GODZILLA is in the House…Meet Kenpachiro Satsuma, in 1984’s RETURN OF GODZILLA, he would land the title role of Godzilla and continue as the King of Monsters for the next 11 years. This is first time to America in over 20 years.

Also from Japan, meet Satoshi Furuya he enthralled generations of children with his portrayal of the original Ultraman.

Jane Wiedlin is the sexy and charismatic guitar player for The GoGos! One of the best known Rock/Pop groups to emerge from the 1980′s, Jane is back at work, creating a stage production for her self published comic series “Lady Robotica”.

Also Appearing will be: Kevin Bernard Grevioux (Co-Writer, Producer and actor in “Underworld”, “I, Frankenstein” and comic book writer), Damion Poitier (Avengers (in the last 2 minutes, he was the surprise Villian), Star Trek, Hunter Prey…and the son of Sidney Poitier). Also, C. Andrew Nelson (Darth Vader), Parker Stevenson (Hardy Boys), Richard Kiel (007 “Jaws”), William Katt (Greatest American Hero, House)…and more

COSPLAY Guests Jessica Nigri, Riddle (star of “Heroes of Cosplay”), Ivy Doomkitty, Anthony Misano… and many more will all be on site. Along with hundreds and hundreds of amazing fans all in costume.

Super-Star Cartoonist and Big Wow! Bigwig Frank Cho (Liberty Meadows, 50 Girls 50), will teach a 90-minute Figure Drawing Workshop with a live model, demonstrating fundamentals of technique and style. Any aspiring artist is welcome to sit in the audience and work along with Frank, who will provide priceless tips and critiques! And Inker Extraordinaire Mick Gray (Starman, Promethea) will once again provide a weekend-long inking demonstration as he works on his current comic book assignment at his booth! Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see professional comic artists at work!

In conjunction with San Francisco’s Cartoon Art Museum, Big Wow! Comic Fest proudly presents “BATMAN!, 75 years a Hero” Featuring Seven Decades of Original Art and Memorabilia from the DC Comics world-famous Super Hero. Also, there will be 2 additional shows, “The Art of MIKE ZECK!” And “The ART of FAMOUS MONSTERS”.

And Speaking of Famous Monsters… We are hosting the 1st Annual “Horror/Fantasy/Sci-Fi Film Festival” with the legendary Famous Monsters Magazine… who are also hosting our Japanese guest, and presenting the “Famous Monsters of Filmland” Pavilion with guests, props, make-up and costume designers and more.

And no Big Wow! ComicFest is complete without our:

Live Art Auction, Costume/Cosplay Contest (Saturday night directly after the show), Gaming, Card & Role-Playing Games, “Creature Features Live” with host: John Stanley, showing the original “Night of the Living Dead.”

Panel Discussions, including: Creating Comics, The Art of Self-Publishing, and how to Design and Create Your Own Costumes! There will be 5 rooms of programming going on, throughout the show.

Tickets are available on the website. And we have tickets available at over 30 participating comic book stores around Northern California.

Admission is only:

1 Day Adult $25.00 (at the door)

2 Day Adult $35.00 (at the door)

1 Day Child (8-14) $10.00 (at the door)

2 Day Child $15.00 (at the door)

CHILDREN UNDER 8 ARE FREE!

*Save $5.00 Off Admission! Buy tickets online, or at many local Comic Book Stores!

FOR MORE INFORMATION we will always have guest and programming updates for the show at: www.bigwowcomicfest.com. Also, most of our Guests will be available before the show for online, phone and in some cases, personal appearance Interviews.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter!

Hero Initiative Heads to San Jose’s BIG WOW! Comic-Fest in May 2014

Press Release:

Hero Initiative, the non-profit organization that helps comic creators in medical and financial need, will be attending San Jose’s BIG WOW! Comic-Fest on May 17-18 at the San Jose Convention Center, 150 West San Carlos Street.

Make sure you grab the amazing Walking Dead 100 book at out booth, #915-#917 and be sure to get it signed by the many contributors in attendance! Walking Dead artist Charlie Adlard will be at the con, as will eight other artists who participated in the project. Proceeds of your purchase will help someone in need!

And you can put your Walking Dead book in your NEW Hero tote bag! Hero’s new totes make their debut at BIG WOW! and are available at a mere $5!

In addition, check out the ambassadors for Hero who will be raising money for our charity at their own booths: Arthur Adams, Brent Anderson, Dan Brereton, Joyce Chin, Mick Gray, Drew Johnson, Rich Koslowski, Michael Lark, John Livesay, Laura Martin, Terry Moore, Norm Rapmund, Darick Robertson, Greg Rucka, and David Williams will all have donation jars for Hero!

Panel Schedule for BIG WOW! ComicFest 2014

Press Release:

Big Wow Comic Fest’s 2014 Programs & Panels schedule will be jam packed with Artist Demonstrations, Cosplay Instruction and fun, Creator Interviews and Presentations, and so many more exciting opportunities to interact with today’s most talented creators! Also, don’t forget the Live Art, Superman Museum Show, Kid’s Corner and so much more going on at the show.

SATURDAY MAY 17, 2014

Famous Monsters Film Fest Day One (Program)
10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Schedule to be posted soon.

Getting Started with Copic Pens (Panel)
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Want to buy some Copic pens but are intimidated by the sheer number of colors? Have some and don’t know what to do with them? A Certified Copic Designer will give a bare-bones introduction, explain how the color system works, how to find discount prices and hints on how to start building up your studio collection. Note: This is NOT a certification class or hands-on workshop and is best suited for people with absolutely no experience with Copics. – Room D

Top Cow (Panel)
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Meet with Matt Hawkins, President and C.O.O of Top Cow Productions and writer of Aphrodite IX, Think Tank, and other highly acclaimed series, for a discussion on the future of Top Cow as well as what’s on all of your minds: how to break into comics! With information on Top Cow’s annual Talent Hunt, the tricks of the trade, and just what it takes to make your pitch pop, this is one panel you won’t want to miss. – Room A

Working with Greg Rucka… (Panel)
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Guest artists Michael Lark and Justin Greenwood will discuss their takes on working with writer Greg Rucka, and he with them. Michael Lark has worked with Greg on multiple occasions including Gotham Central, Punisher and their creator owned Image title Lazarus. Justin Greenwood is currently working with Greg on Stumptown. Hear from both an artist’s and writer’s perspective as to when they know there is a good creative match on a project and why. These creators will discuss their projects and the creative process. Moderated by David Brothers, Editor of Lazarus & Content Manager for Image Comics – Room B
Attending Guests: Justin Greenwood, Michael Lark, Greg Rucka

Collecting Batman! (Panel)
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Holy Grails, Batman! Celebrate the Dark Knight’s 75th anniversary and Big Wow! Comicfest’s exclusive Batman Museum with Bill Morrison and a panel of Batman collectors! Panelists will discuss their Caped Crusader Collections, swap stories about great finds, lament the items that got away, compare notes about where they draw the line, and reveal their most sought-after, yet-to-be-collected bat-baubles! – Room B
Attending Guests: Bill Morrison

Remembering the Ackermansion (Panel)
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Filmmakers Tom Wyrsch and Strephon Taylor (Remembering Playland at the Beach”, Sutros: The Palace at Lands End”) will present highlights from their brand new feature length film, “Uncle Forry’s Ackermansions” The film is a vast tour of Forrest J Ackerman’s, now gone, Los Angeles mansion-museum starting with the original Ackermansion and ending with the Acker-mini-mansion. Archival footage with hundreds photographs make up a fascinating video tour. Joining the panel will be Tom Khamis (LASFS Historian), Audience Q&A inlcuded. – Room D
Attending Guests: Strephon Taylor, Tom Wyrsch

Cultural Diversity in Comics (Panel)
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Positives and negative strides towards Cultural Diversity in the comics genre and film. Have there been enough strides not only in the books and films but behind the scenes? What can be done to make it better for everyone or is it fine where it is at? – Room D
Attending Guests: Kevin Bernard Grevioux, Damion Poitier, David Williams

Punchdrunk Mustache! (Panel)
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Join nine current and former Lucasfilm Animation Artists as they discuss the creation of the art book Punchdrunk Mustache, published last summer to great acclaim by Design Studio Press. Featuring stories and concepts created by Star Wars: The Force Unleashed artists Amy Beth Christenson, Chris Voy and Jeff Sangalli, as well as artists who contributed to Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Detours, Punchdrunk Mustache is a visual thrill ride! Spend time with theses talented artists. – Room C
Attending Guests: John-Paul Balmet, Will Nichols, Sean Pando, Amy Beth Christenson Smith, Chris Voy, Nate Watson

The Art of Kaiju & Master of Monster (Panel)
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Kaiju expert, FM guest editor, and author of the newly reprinted Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monster, August Ragone will be joined by Hugo Award-winning and FM cover artist Bob Eggleton to talk about how Japanese monsters have shaped Wester pop culture, influenced their personal and professional lives, and why character like Godzilla and Ultraman continue to be worldwide sensations. – Room B
Attending Guests: Bob Eggleton, August Ragone

 

Comics University (Panel)
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
“Comics University”, a discussion co-moderated by panelists Ed Luce (Professor in the Comics MFA Program at California College of the Arts and creator of Wuvable Oaf Comics) and Maia Kobabe (CCA Comics MFA student and creator of “The Thief’s Tale” comics). Ed and Maia, along with both undergraduate and Comics MFA grads, will discuss how comics fit into the diverse undergraduate program at CCA, the myriad of professional reasons one might pursue a Master’s Degree in comics. – Room D

Doug Sneyd – 50 Years of Playboy (Panel)
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Doug has worked for Playboy magazine since the early 1964, many remember lovely scantily (and even non-) clad “Sneyd” girls and the one-line jokes he did thru the years. Though many may not know the man behind all the great art and humour. Come hear Doug talk about his career drawing for Playboy. – Room C
Attending Guests: Doug Sneyd

Japan’s Heroes and Monsters (Panel)
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
August Ragone and his Kaiju crew will be hosting FM’s panel that will feature Kenpachiro Satsuma (Godzilla, ’84-’95), Bin Furuya (Ultraman), and Daisuke Ban (Kikaida, Inazuman). Each actor will tell their stories of how they came to embody these incredible roles, as well as take questions from the audience. – Room A
Attending Guests: Daisuke Ban, Satoshi Furuya, August Ragone, Kenpachiro Satsuma

Madefire (Panel)
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Charlie Adlard, Liam Sharp, Ben Wolstenholme and the good folk of Madefire host a talk and Q & A about opportunities for old and new creators in the digital realm, and how comics and motion books can be good for each other. A must for anybody interested in new ways of getting their work seen! – Room B
Attending Guests: Charlie Adlard, Daniel Presedo, Liam Sharp

Dan Brereton Portfolio Review (Panel)
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
It isn’t your impressive artwork alone that will land you a job or the position you’re seeking, but the presentation of your artwork in your portfolio. Veteran illustrator and painter Dan Brereton will be on hand to discuss your artwork in a friendly and constructive group critique, as well as the presentation of your work. All age, skill and experience levels are welcome. – Room D
Attending Guests: Dan Brereton

CBLDF Comic Code (Panel)
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
60 years ago, comics were put on trial in a nationally televised Senate subcommittee hearing that had shattering repercussions for this great American art form. The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund presents the shocking history of moral panic that led to this historic hearing and the birth of the Comics Code Authority, which regulated the medium’s content for more than 50 years. CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein tells the tale at this CBLDF presentation. – Room D

BigWOW ComicFest Art Auction (Panel)
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
This will be your opportunity to bid on and win pieces of original collectible art, hand drawn, by numerous guests who are attending the show. All of the art will be on display in the exhibitor hall, museum gallery, throughout the day Saturday and will be available to be bid on in a blind auction format.

Come to the live auction portion of the event to bid on various pieces of art created specifically for the auction by the likes of Frank Cho, Michael Lark, Alfonso Azpiri, Frank Cirocco, Rich Koslowski and some published pieces contributed by Charlie Adlard, Justin Greenwood and many others! A number of the convention’s guests will be on-hand to mingle at this social event and to encourage fans to bid high on their works of art! – Room B

There will be a cash bar setup in the auction room for those interested. This should be a lively and entertaining event for all. Both cash and credit cards will be accepted for your art auction purchases.

Creature Features Live! (Panel)
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Back by popular demand is Creature Features Live! Hosted by John Stanley and Lord Blood-Rah. Presented just as Creature Features was back in the early eighties, but on stage rather than on television. Opening dialog, feature length movie “Night of the Living Dead” a Creature Features classic, TV commercials, guest interviews, special announcements, and Living Dead in the audience. – Room A
Attending Guests: Lord Blood-Rah, John Stanley

SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

Famous Monsters Film Fest Day Two (Program)
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Schedule to be posted soon.

CreaturesCon 3 (Panel)
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Join the CreaturesCon gang, John Stanley (Creature Features 1971 to 1984), Ernie Fosselius (Hardware Wars), Lord Blood-Rah (Movie Host), Tom Wyrsch (Writer / Director) and Strephon Taylor (November Fire) for an information-packed journey through Creature Features, TV Horror Hosting, classic Sci-Fi and Horror films, Bob Wilkins and much more. The panel will share personal memories, show rare video clips and review Creature Features favorite films. Audience Q&A included. – Room B
Attending Guests: Lord Blood-Rah, Ernie Fosselius, John Stanley, Strephon Taylor, Tom Wyrsch
Drawing The Walking Dead (Panel)
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Artist, Charlie Adlard, and inker Stefano Gaudiano discuss what it is like to create the images behind the hugely successful comic and tv series The Walking Dead. Charlie will explain how his art style has evolved during his tenure on the book and how having an inker allows him to work differently now. Stefano, being the newest addition to the team, shares his experiences of inking Charlie and how this project differs from his vast number of other previous collaborations. They’ll discuss the controversial “All Out War” storyline and how working on a near bi-weekly schedule for a year affected how they worked. Moderated by Mark Hay, owner of Splash Page Comic Art, art dealer for Charlie & Stefano – Room A
Attending Guests: Charlie Adlard, Stefano Gaudiano
Drawing Who (Panel)
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Josh Adams (DOCTOR WHO, EUREKA, WAREHOUSE 13, GARDEN OF STEVEN) and Blair Shedd (DOCTOR WHO, LEGENDS OF OZ, GHOSTBUSTERS, THE RAPTOR) have both had the honor of being chosen to draw official Doctor Who comics for IDW Publishing. Josh and Blair will talk about how they got the job (and other behind the scenes stories), meeting Doctor Who cast and crew, chat about Who-fandom in general, and do a Q and A if the audience wishes. – Room C
Attending Guests: Josh Adams, Blair Shedd

 

Figure Drawing with Frank Cho (Panel)
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Free figure drawing class open to public, headed by Marvel Comics artist, Frank Cho. Cosplayer, Ivy Doomkitty, will model for this drawing class. All the audience members are encoraged to draw along
with Frank Cho, who will critique the drawings by the audience members at the end of class. – Room A
Attending Guests: Frank Cho, Ivy Doomkitty
Jack Kirby Museum (Panel)
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Jack Kirby is the creator or co-creator of The X-Men, Hulk Iron Man, the Fantastic Four, Captain America, The Avengers, Darkseid, Mister Miracle and hundreds more. He was probably the most prolific comics artist ever and almost every artist is inspired by him. Artists will discuss which comics led them to follow Jack, what panels they have learned from, and how hard it is to make that Kirby Krackle look right. – Room C
Attending Guests: Mark Badger, Bruce Simon
Native Americans in Comics (Panel)
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Ever since Native American people began drawing on rock walls, they’ve been part of the comic book universe. However, stereotypes persist due to the lack of Native artists or writers employed by the mainstream comics industry. Now, these artists have taken initiative and formed The Indigenous Narratives Collective and INC Comics. INC’s Arigon Starr (“Super Indian”) and Lee Francis IV (“Pueblo Jones”) will discuss the state of Native American comics. Moderated by UC Santa Cruz’s writer/poet/playwright Dr. Carolyn Dunn. – Room D
Attending Guests: Arigon Starr
Marvel Masterpiece Theatre (Panel)
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
MARVEL MASTERPIECE THEATER ! presents a dramatic table read of the 1968 Marvel Comics classic tale unfolded in AVENGERS 59 & 60, “The Wedding of Yellowjacket & Wasp”, by Roy Thomas and John Buscema. Both issues feature a number of cameos from the Marvel universe of the late Sixties, fun pop culture references of the day, amazing superhero action and sizzling dialogue ! Pages of Big John Buscema’s fantastic art and storytelling will follow on the screen as our cast reads the text. – Room B
Attending Guests: Mark Badger, Dan Brereton, Damion Poitier, Liam Sharp, Jane Wiedlin
Collecting Comic Art (Panel)
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Have you ever wanted something from your favorite comic book? Brian Peck and fellow collectors guide you through the world of collecting comic art – from what it all means, to where to find the art. Discussing a wide range of topics from History of how this hobby started to grow and what use to happen to all the art in the old days? How computers have changed the look of (or non-existance of in some cases) original art? How the internet has changed and expanded the art hobby? How ebay has altered the collectors market? How the auction houses have impacted the hobby? Comparison of values between cover/splashes/interiors? Conservation and preservation? – Room D

 

Japan’s Heroes and Monsters (Panel)
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
August Ragone and his Kaiju crew will be hosting FM’s panel that will feature Kenpachiro Satsuma (Godzilla, ’84-’95), Bin Furuya (Ultraman), and Daisuke Ban (Kikaida, Inazuman). Each actor will tell their stories of how they came to embody these incredible roles, as well as take questions from the audience. – Room C
Attending Guests: Daisuke Ban, Satoshi Furuya, August Ragone, Kenpachiro Satsuma
CBLDF Auction (Panel)
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Top creators Terry Moore, along with some guests to be announced will create live art before your eyes. The only rule is that it would have been forbidden by the Comics Code! Join the CBLDF and these great creators as they talk censorship and make once-in-a-lifetime art! Get a chance to watch live art made before your eyes, learn about censorship, and bid to win the pieces made here to benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. – Room B
Attending Guests: Terry Moore
Comics And Comics (Panel)
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Geeks Assemble! “Comics and Comics” is all-fanboy stand-up comedy, presented by the nerdiest comedians in the multiverse. From comic books to video games, from anime to Dr. Who, from Star Wars to Star Trek, from Dungeons and Dragons to that one episode of Thundarr the Barbarian where the evil wizards have this race to determine who gets the Helmet of Power, you can rest assured that all geek bases will be covered! – Room C

The Batman Chronicles: Special Screening & Discussion (Panel)
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
A three part short film following a young Bruce Wayne as he struggles with a corrupt justice department & faces off against a maniacal new menace hell bent on taking over Gotham. All three parts of the film will be shown, followed by a Q&A with Actor, Producer & Editor Anthony Misiano. – Room C
Attending Guests: Anthony Misiano
The Science and Fiction of Alternate Realities (Panel)
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
The idea that there may be universes other than our own has long been a staple of fantasy and science fiction. Now physicists are telling us that there may be some truth in this idea. How much is fact and how much is fiction? Are there other universe? If there are, how similar are they to our own? Do universes “split,” and if so, how? Would it be possible to travel between them. What are some of the ways these ideas have been explored in fiction — and what avenues are still ripe. – Room D

Big Wow! ComicFest - The Original Artist Friendly Convention – returns to San Jose May 17th & 18th, 2014, bringing two great days of Comic Book, Anime/Manga, Art, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Gaming and Cosplay FUN! Many of the country’s best vendors of all things cool and collectible will tempt your wallets with the perfect gifts for Geek, Fans and True Collectors, everywhere! Big Wow! ComicFest is the only major comics event in the San Francisco Bay Area this year.

Be sure to follow us on both Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on all our upcoming announcements!

 

CAPS Launches Stan & Sharon Sakai Benefit Auction on March 6th

**UPDATE** Auctions begin TODAY on eBay starting at 5PM PST/8PM EST at the link!!

Press Release:

CAPS TO LAUNCH ART AUCTION FEATURING ORIGINAL WORKS BY MATT GROENING, JACK DAVIS, MIKE MIGNOLA, J. SCOTT CAMPBELL, ADAM HUGHES AND HUNDREDS MORE TO BENEFIT FELLOW CARTOONIST STAN SAKAI AND FAMILY

On Thursday, March 6, 2014, Southern California’s CAPS, the Comic Art Professional Society, will launch an ongoing series of eBay auctions of original comic art. Its goal is to raise funds for medical care for Sharon Sakai, the wife of respected cartoonist and longtime CAPS member Stan Sakai, creator of the samurai rabbit USAGI YOJIMBO. Sharon has been battling a debilitating brain tumor for some time; after an extended hospital stay and convalescence, she is currently at home, but her condition requires 24-hour care and medicine that costs more than the Sakai’s insurance covers. 100% of the proceeds of these auctions will go directly to Stan and Sharon Sakai to help pay their ongoing medical expenses.

The CAPS auctions will be conducted through eBay.com beginning on Thursday, March 6, with a new set of auctions every following Thursday. Each auction, sold under the seller name of “CAPSauction”, will be ten days in length with twenty to forty items in each set of auctions. The donations of original artwork and collectibles (including newly created art unique to this event, vintage comic book pages, comic strips, illustrations, animation art, limited edition statues, and IDW Artist’s editions books) number over three hundred with new items arriving every day.

Contributors include: Adam Hughes, Alex Maleev, Arthur Adams, Batton Lash, Eric Powell, Jan Duursema, Jerry Ordway, Jordi Bernet, Matt Groening, Michael Allred, Mike Mignola, Paul Gulacy, Sanjuliàn, Scott Shaw!, Jim Steranko, Tim Sale, William Stout, Bill Sienkiewicz, Cameron Stewart, Dan Brereton, Daniel Parsons, Dave Gibbons, Dean Yeagle, Doug Sneyd, Dustin Nguyen, Bill Morrison, Tone Rodriguez, Sergio Aragonés, Fabio Moon, Francisco Francavilla, Gene Ha, Geof Darrow, Gilbert Hernandez, Jack Davis, James O’Barr, Kevin Eastman, Jeff Lemire, Jeff Smith, Kazu Kibuishi, Liam Sharp, Tom Richmond, Michael Jantze, Olivia, Oscar Martin, Paul Chadwick, Richard Corben, Tom Mandrake, Walter Simonson, Charles Vess, Dan Spiegle, J. Scott Campbell and many more.

Many of the pieces featuring Usagi Yojimbo will appear in a new oversized hardcover book from Dark Horse, THE SAKAI PROJECT: ARTISTS CELEBRATE THIRTY YEARS OF USAGI YOJIMBO, which will be released on July 23, 2014. All proceeds from this book will go to Stan and Sharon Sakai. Much of the custom Usagi Yojimbo art created for this book will also be sold as a part of CAPS’ online auctions.

These fund-raising auctions will be promoted through ComicArtFans.com, and the CAPS – COMIC ART PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY Facebook page where you will be able to see updated information such as when certain pieces will be auctioned.

Excelsior! Stan Lee Attends Big WOW! ComicFest 2013

Press Release:

Big WOW! ComicFest is extremely excited and proud to welcome comic book legend STAN LEE for his first ever appearance at the Bay Area’s Premier Comic Book and Pop Culture Convention!

Early Bird Exhibitor Discount for Big Wow 2013 Ends Soon

Press Release:

Big Wow! ComicFest Returns to San Jose May 18th & 19th, 2013, bringing two great days of Comic Book, Anime/Manga, Art, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Gaming and Cosplay FUN! Many of the country’s best vendors of all things cool and collectible will tempt your wallets with the perfect gifts for Geek, Fans and True Collectors, everywhere! Big Wow! ComicFest is the Only Major Comics Event in the San Francisco Bay Area this Year.

SPECIAL NOTICE: The early bird $75 Discount for Exhibitor Booths, Small Press and Artist Alley Tables ends Thursday, January 31st at midnight PST. Click Here to Register Today before you miss this opportunity!

TICKETS AVAILABLE SOON

Be sure to follow us on both Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on all our upcoming announcements!

Amazing Creators!

As the Original Artist-Friendly Show, we are bringing in a lineup of Fantastic Comic Book Creator Guests spanning all decades and genres! This year we are pleased to have as guests at the show Neal Adams (Superman, Batman), Tony Daniel (Batman), Adam Hughes (Fables, Wonder Woman), Writer Brian Azzarello (100 Bullets, Joker), Toshio Maeda (Urotsukidoji & La Blue Girl), Eduardo Risso (100 Bullets), Lee Bermejo (Rorschach, Joker), Sanjulian (Vampirella), Brian Stelfreeze (Batman), Sergio Aragones (MAD, Groo), Herb Trimpe (Hulk), Terry & Rachel Dodson (X-Men, Wonder Woman), and Arthur Adams (Classic Avengers).

Fan-Favorites… Travis Charest (Weapons of the Metabarons), Kevin Nowlan (Superman Vs. Aliens), James O’Barr (Crow), Dan Brereton (Nocturnals), Keu Cha (Rising Stars), Tim Bradstreet (The Punisher), Joe Linsner (Dawn), Michael Golden (The ‘Nam), Bill Morrison (The Simpsons, Futurama), Humberto Ramos (Wolverine), Frank Cho (Savage Wolverine, Liberty Meadows), Liam Sharp (Gears of War), Bill Sienkiewicz (Elektra Assassin), Jason Palmer (Serenity), Aaron Lopresti (Spider-Man), Ryan Sook (Zatanna), and so many more confirmed guests added to our website!

Sac-Con This Weekend with Billy West & More

Press Release:

Sac-Con is this Sunday June 3rd at the Scottish Rite Center in Sacramento (6151 H Street).  10am – 5pm.  Admission is $6 at the door.  Meet great guests like:

Billy West - The voice Futurama’s “FRY”, “REN AND STIMPY” and More!  

Vince Locke - Artist & Co-Writer of “DEADWORLD”    

Dan Brereton - The Nocturnals, Red Sonja   

Tone Rodriguez - Simpsons Comic Book Artist

Mark Bode - Miami Mice, Heavy Metal, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  

and more!  

Pre-Register for Sac-Con for only $4.00  

Check out some of our great events at the show:

Cosplay Costume Contest

Classic Video Game Tournament

Huge Vendors Room

12pm Charity Auction

Panels/Q & A’s with our guests as well as the  Sac Geeks 

Free Yugioh & Magic Tournaments

Console Game Room

and more!

Big Wow Adds Overseas Talent

Press Release:

Joining the line up for the 2012 Big Wow ComicFest are Juanjo Guarnido (Blacksad), from France and Liam Sharp (Gears of War) from England. Two Award Winning artists, both traveling to San Jose to meet their fans at the Big Wow! ComicFest.

Juanjo Guarnido, best known here is the US for his work on Blacksad published by Dark Horse Comics will be make a rare appearance at this years Big Wow! He will be traveling from Spain to greet his fans. Dark Horse themselves are very excited about his appearance, since they have never had the chance to meet this talented artist.

Also coming from overseas to join the talented lineup at Big Wow! ComicFest is award winning Heavy Metal and DC Comics artist, Liam Sharp. A friend of the show, Liam is pleased to return to Northern California to greet his fans.

Visit the Big Wow! Convention site today and sign up for their Newsletter!

Three of the greatest painters have joined the guest list of this 2012′s Big Wow! ComicFest. Along with other great talents at this years show in the art of painting (like Dan Brereton, Bernie Wrightson, Tim Bradstreet, Joe Linsner and more), Joe Jusko, James O’Barr and Mark Texeira have al agreed to make the West Coast trip and join the fans for the 2012 Big Wow! ComicFest.

James O’Barr (Best known for his creating “The Crow”) is looking forward to joining the live art showcase and plans on challenging all the other artists to pick up a brush and just try to out do the creation he has in store for the fans, he wants to “raise the bar” on the quality of convention art.

Other amazing guests attending the Big Wow! ComicFest include Jim Lee (Sunday Only), Frank Cho, Bernie Wrightson, Travis Charest, Kevin Nowlan, Tim Bradstreet, Sergio Aragones, Joe Linsner, Michael Golden, Bob Layton, and many, many more top industry professionals! For a complete list of Guests click here.

Hero Initiative with Matt Wagner at San Jose’s BIG WOW! Comic-Fest 2011

Press Release:

Hero Initiative with Special Guest Matt Wagner at San Jose’s BIG WOW! Comic-Fest

Special guest signings and free print!

LOS ANGELES (May 13, 2011) Hero Initiative, the non-profit organization that helps comic creators in medical and financial need, will be attending San Jose’s BIG WOW! Comic-Fest on May 21-22 at the San Jose Convention Center, 150 West San Carlos St. in Hall 3. And making the trip with Hero is our very special guest, Matt Wagner! The 25-year veteran is one of comicdom’s most respected creators, and the creator of the mastermind assassin, GRENDEL. In fact, it is GRENDEL’S 25^th anniversary this year and we are proud to be celebrating this milestone with Matt. Matt also wrote and drew the DC Comic series Trinity, and was the cover artist on the Kevin Smith-penned re-launch of Green Arrow. Matt will be sketching and signing throughout the weekend at Hero’s booth, #605/607, so make sure you come by! As Matt is also a nice guy, a portion of proceeds of ALL Matt’s sales will also be donated to Hero!

Hero Initiative Members alert! Flash your Hero membership card and get a FREE print at the con! Choose from Frank Cho’s Howard the Duck, Dan Brereton’s Iron Fist, or the Terry Moore/Matt Wagner Strangers in Paradise/Grendel! Get it signed by the artists RIGHT at the show! Both Dan Brereton and Terry Moore will also be at Hero’s booth, so check the schedule!

If you’re not already a Hero Initiative member, NO problem! You can join right at the booth to receive one of these precious prints for FREE while helping one of the comic industry’s great causes.

• Hero booth schedule:

Saturday May 21 (convention hours 10-6)

1000-600: Matt Wagner
1030-1130 Bill Morrison
1130-1230 Terry Moore

Sunday, May 22 (convention hours 10-5)
1000-500: Matt Wagner
100-200: Dan Brereton
230-330: Bill Morrison

About The Hero Initiative:
The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strict to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterday’s creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment .Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visitwww.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354.

 

Air Pirates and Fogel’s Price Guide Fly Into Indy Euphoria June 27

Press Release:

Air Pirates and Fogel’s Price Guide Fly Into Indy Euphoria June 27

The West Coast Premiere of Fogel’s Underground Comix Price Guide Supplement will be at Indy Euphoria, a Celebration of Alternative Arts, this Sunday, June 27th in Sacramento, California. Joining Supplement author Dan Fogel are legendary Underground cartoonists Dan O’Neill and Ted Richards, of the notorious Air Pirates Studios!

In 1971, O’Neill organized the Air Pirates, a group of young cartoonists named after 1930s Mickey Mouse villains. Members included Bobby London, Gary Hallgren, Shary Flenniken and Ted Richards. They produced two issues of Air Pirates Funnies, wherein Mickey, Minnie, and other Disney characters behaved in a shockingly Adult manner. This publication led to a famous lawsuit by The Walt Disney Company. The Air Pirates fought the suit on free-speech grounds and finally settled after a long, highly publicized, and expensive legal battle. Along the way they organized the Mouse Liberation Front, an international Underground movement that is still growing today and is currently featured in the movie “R.I.P. A Remix Manifesto”.

Dan O’Neill’s long and distinguished career includes creating the controversial newspaper strip Odd Bodkins, two series of Dan O’Neill’s Comics and Stories, The Tortoise and the Hare, The Log of the Irish Navy (Banned on eBay!), and The Big Yellow Drawing Book.

Ted Richards has created iconic Underground Comix characters including The Forty Year Old Hippie, Dopin’ Dan, and skateboarder guru Mellow Cat. His impressive portfolio of computer design work continues with many exciting new multi-media projects for Air Pirates Studios!

Dan Fogel, a comics industry veteran retailer, distributor, writer, editor, and publisher for three decades, is recognized worldwide as the leading authority on the Underground, Adults Only, and Alternative Comix genres. Fogel’s Underground Comix Price Guide and the brand-new Supplement are the indispensable resource for collectors, retailers, historians, investors, and fans!

Other comic creator guests at Indy Euphoria include Johnny Ryan (Lowest Comic Denominator, Angry Youth Comix), Tim Vigil (Faust), Dan Brereton (Nocturnals), and Mike Hampton (Hot Zombie Chicks).

Indy Euphoria is this Sunday June 27, 10AM to 6PM at The Scottish Rite Center, 6151 H Street, Sacramento, CA 95819, across from Sacramento State University. For more show information, please go to http://indyeuphoria.com/

The Air Pirates may be contacted through their new website:

http://www.airpirates.net/

Fogel’s Underground Comix Price Guide Supplement is published by Hippy Comix, Inc. in association with Carnal Comics and is exclusively sponsored by BD Cues and Comix, your leading source for high-quality custom pool cues and comix! A thick 128 pages, the “SUPP” is for Adults Only and retails for $16.95. It is available through:
www.hippycomix.com
www.demicomix.com
www.bdcuesandcomix.com

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